19H AGO

10 | You Can’t Market Your Way Out of Poor Leadership: Lessons from the Front Lines of Recovery - Kennet Vick, Avalon Wellness Recovery

In today’s #BehavioralHealth landscape, many treatment centers respond to census pressure by increasing marketing spend—without addressing the leadership and operational foundations that actually drive outcomes, retention, and sustainable growth. In this episode of The elev8.io Podcast, Gary Garth sits down with Kenneth Vick, Executive Director at Avalon Wellness & Recovery and author of Recovery Leadership: Building Teams for Better Outcomes, to unpack a hard truth: leadership is often the real constraint to growth. Drawing from nearly two decades of frontline and executive experience, Ken explains how leadership quality directly impacts patient outcomes, staff burnout, length of stay, referrals, and ultimately census stability. Together, they explore why strong teams outperform strong tactics, how culture becomes a clinical variable, and what CEOs must own if they want to scale without breaking their organization—or their people. This conversation is designed for behavioral health CEOs, Executive Directors, founders, and growth leaders who want to align outcomes, culture, and business performance in an increasingly high-cost admissions environment. Key Topics / Timestamps 00:35 - Ken’s journey into recovery leadership and why he wrote Recovery Leadership 03:31 – Why leadership failures quietly undermine outcomes and census 08:46 – Burnout, staff turnover, and the hidden cost of poor leadership 14:21 – Trauma-informed leadership: treating teams with the same care as clients 20:11 – Leadership, length of stay, and patient engagement 27:31 – Why marketing and operations must be aligned 34:16 – Scaling teams without breaking culture 41:01 – Advice for founders growing from 20 to 60+ beds 47:31 – How outcomes drive referrals, reputation, and sustainable census Follow elev8.io on Social Media LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io⁠ Guest Details Kenneth Vick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-vick-04624a9a/ Learn more about Avalon Wellness & Recovery Book: Recovery Leadership (Available on Amazon) Resources & Links Learn more about ⁠elev8.io⁠ Explore our Patient Acquisition ROI & Census Growth Calculator exclusively designed for Behavioral Health Organizations -> ⁠https://growthcalculator.elev8.io⁠ Have a topic in mind? Suggest it and check out our other podcast episodes -> https://elev8.io/podcast/⁠⁠

31 min

JAN 29

9 | Culture Is the Strategy: How Leadership Standards Determine Who Scales and Who Breaks

In behavioral health, many leaders try to solve census challenges by pushing harder on marketing. But as this episode makes clear, the real bottleneck is often upstream: leadership, hiring discipline, and culture. In this episode of The elev8.io Podcast, host Gary Garth sits down with Dr. Ken Huey, CEO of The Hope Group and host of The Voice of Hope Podcast, to break down why culture isn’t a “soft” concept—it’s the operating system that determines execution, retention, and scalable growth. Ken shares the frameworks he’s used to build and scale mission-driven behavioral health programs, including how to identify “missionaries vs. mercenaries,” why past behavior is the best predictor of future performance, and how to measure culture using an employee Net Promoter Score. If you’re a CEO, founder, or executive leader looking to stabilize census, build a durable team, and scale without breaking your standards—this conversation is for you. Key Topics / Timestamps 00:00 – Why culture in a Behavioral Health orfanization is infrastructure 02:00 – Ken’s journey + why he joined The Hope Group 04:30 – “Missionaries vs. mercenaries” and why it matters in Behavioral Health 06:30 – How to spot mercenaries (and why interviews aren’t enough) 08:00 – Topgrading + reference checks as a hiring system 10:30 – The best culture metric: Employee Net Promoter Score 13:00 – Balancing hiring urgency with protecting culture 16:00 – “Who first, then what” + solving constraints with the right “who” 19:00 – Aligning departments around mission, values, and a BHAG 22:00 – Where to find Ken + The Voice of Hope Podcast Follow elev8.io on Social Media LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io⁠ Guest Social Media Dr. Ken Huey (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-huey-72309031/ Learn more about The Hope Group: https://hopegrouphealth.com/ The Voice of Hope Podcast with Dr. Ken Huey Resources & Links Visit ⁠elev8.io⁠ Explore the ROI Calculator: ⁠https://growthcalculator.elev8.io⁠ Have a topic in mind? Suggest it and check out our other podcast episodes here: ⁠⁠ https://elev8.io/podcast/⁠⁠

30 min

JAN 15

8 | The Alumni Advantage: Reducing Relapse & Increasing Census

What happens after discharge may be the most overlooked growth and outcomes lever in #BehavioralHealth. In this episode of The elev8.io Podcast, host Gary Garth, CEO of elev8.io, sits down with Gina Thorne, Executive Director at TPAS, to explore how alumni engagement reduces relapse rates while creating a sustainable, ethical pathway to census growth. Gina shares why the post-discharge phase is one of the most vulnerable moments in recovery, and how intentional alumni programs provide connection, accountability, and belonging when patients need it most. Beyond clinical outcomes, she explains how alumni communities become a powerful referral ecosystem, lowering cost-per-admission and strengthening trust in an increasingly competitive market. This conversation is essential for behavioral health executives, treatment center owners, and industry leaders looking to stabilize census, improve outcomes, and align mission with business performance. If you’re relying solely on paid marketing while overlooking what happens after treatment ends, this episode will change how you think about growth. Key Topics / Timestamps 00:00 - Why recovery truly begins after discharge04:06 - Common misconceptions about alumni programs05:05 - How connection and community reduce relapse07:15 - Alumni engagement as a census growth strategy08:35 - Ethical referrals vs traditional paid marketing11:35 - Building an alumni program from the ground up14:02 - Measuring success: outcomes and operations18:25 - The future of alumni engagement in behavioral health Follow elev8.io on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io Guest Social Media Gina Thorne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginathorneconsulting/ Learn more about TPAS: https://www.tpas.org/ Resources & Links Visit elev8.io Explore the ROI Calculator: https://growthcalculator.elev8.io Have a topic in mind? Suggest it and check out our other podcast episodes here: ⁠ https://elev8.io/podcast/⁠

32 min

11/28/2025

7 | The Ultimate Behavioral Health ROI Calculator Walkthrough: Real Math for Marketing, Admissions & Census Growth

If you don’t know your true Cost-Per-VOB, Cost-Per-Admit, or ROI by channel, you’re making high-stakes decisions in the dark. In this episode of The elev8.io Podcast, Founder & CEO Gary Garth breaks down the Behavioral Health Growth ROI Calculator, a free tool designed specifically for #BehavioralHealthFacilities and addiction treatment providers. Gary walks through how treatment centers can plug in real data (program type, level of care, census, leads, and admissions funnel metrics) to turn messy reports into a clear picture of patient acquisition ROI. You’ll learn how to benchmark your results against industry standards, identify which marketing channels (SEO, Google Ads, directories, BD) are actually performing, and see exactly how much revenue is being left on the table each month. He also explains the three core growth drivers behind every successful behavioral health marketing strategy: lead generation, lead qualification, and admissions performance, and how small improvements in each can translate into significant, measurable revenue growth without doubling your ad spend. Stay tuned until the end to hear how to save your calculations, compare month-over-month results, and use the calculator to hold agencies and internal teams accountable with real numbers—not guesses. 🚀 Key Topics / Timestamps 00:00 – Why behavioral health centers need ROI clarity 01:45 – Introducing the Behavioral Health Growth ROI Calculator 02:35 – The 3 core growth drivers behind patient acquisition 04:05 – Data sources, dashboards, and marketing inputs 07:50 – Walkthrough: SUD residential program example 09:10 – Why state, location, and payer mix change the math15:05 – Census, conversion rates, and “money left on the table” 25:10 – Saving scenarios and using the calculator for accountability 👇 Make sure to subscribe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io 🎧 Podcast Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07Dofmd... Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-elev8-io-podcast/id1831101794 YouTube Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0vCBysUd2YD2tolPrXVbWH3Cm17Llc4K 🚀 Host Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygarth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgarygarth 360° Patient Acquisition Solutions For Behavioral Health Centers https://elev8.io/ getpatients@elev8.io #BehavioralHealthMarketing #AddictionTreatmentGrowth #BehavioralHealthMarketing #FullCensusStrategy #HealthcareLeadership #BehavioralHealthPodcast

26 min

11/06/2025

6| Brand Enhancement Strategies for Behavioral Health Facilities

Most behavioral health brands sound the same — and it’s costing them trust, admissions, and long-term growth. In this episode of The elev8.io Podcast, host Gary Garth sits down with Emma Stapleton, behavioral health brand strategist and Partner at Mint Partnership, to unpack how treatment centers can use branding as a strategic tool — not just decoration. Together, they explore why many behavioral health brands fail to connect, how to reframe brand as a growth engine, and what facilities must do to stand out in a saturated, emotionally charged industry. 🎯 You’ll learn: Why most behavioral health brands unintentionally repel patients and families How to design brand experiences that increase trust, admissions, and even clinical outcomes Five powerful brand moves every treatment center should implement in 2025 Whether you’re a founder, CMO, or executive director, this episode will shift how you think about brand, perception, and growth in behavioral health. 🚀 Key Topics / Timestamps 00:42 – Why most behavioral health brands sound identical 04:21 – The design mistake that kills trust and signals risk 07:55 – How brand voice and admissions alignment boost conversions 12:30 – What happens when your brand is just a logo 15:30 – Should your CEO be posting on LinkedIn? 19:40 – Measuring brand reputation in a performance-driven world 24:55 – The 5 Brand Moves every behavioral health leader should make 32:10 – What branding has to do with clinical outcomes 👇 Make sure to subscribe: LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/ Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io 🎧 Podcast Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07DofmdcmrCimcnyOzS1nJ?si=a4a6ca40a1554ef4&nd=1&dlsi=952f6812f3054c4b Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-elev8-io-podcast/id1831101794 YouTube Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io/podcasts 🚀 Guest & Host Social Media Guest LinkedIn:⁠ Emma Stapleton https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stapleton-a8075213/ Host LinkedIn: Gary Garth https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygarth/ 🚀 360° Patient Acquisition Solutions For Behavioral Health Centers https://elev8.io/ ☎️ 305 424 9615 #BehavioralHealthMarketing #HealthcareBranding #PatientTrust #AddictionTreatmentGrowth #BehavioralHealthMarketing #FullCensusStrategy #HealthcareLeadership #BehavioralHealthPodcast

42 min

10/16/2025

5 | The Patient Acquisition Pyramid: How to Cut CPA and Fill Your Census Smarter

Most treatment centers build their patient acquisition strategy upside down, starting with costly paid ads and neglecting the foundational channels that drive sustainable growth. In this solo episode of 'The elev8.io Podcast', Gary Garth, CEO of elev8.io, reveals the Hierarchy of Patient Acquisitions, a proven framework inspired by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and developed to help behavioral health centers achieve full census while reducing acquisition costs. Gary breaks down each layer of the Patient Acquisition Pyramid, explaining how to leverage Alumni programs, local SEO, and business development before investing heavily in Google or Microsoft Ads. You’ll learn how to identify where your admissions pipeline is leaking money, and how to rebuild it for predictable, scalable results. If your facility’s cost-per-admission (CPA) is between $5K–$9K, this episode will show you how to reverse that trend, and generate consistent growth. 🎧 Stay until the end to discover how to test your own performance with the Patient Acquisition ROI & Census Growth Calculator For Behavioral Health Organizations, and benchmark your center against industry standards. 🚀 Key Topics / Timestamps 00:00 – Why most centers build their strategy upside down 02:10 – The creation of the Hierarchy of Patient Acquisitions 04:05 – The four tiers of the Patient Acquisition Pyramid 06:20 – How local SEO reduces CPA dramatically 08:40 – Building scalable BD partnerships for long-term growth 10:50 – When to invest in paid ads, and when not to 12:30 – Using the Patient Acquisition ROI Calculator to identify opportunities 14:00 – How this hierarchy drives stability, profitability, and impact 👇 Make sure to subscribe: LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/ Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io 🎧 Podcast Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07DofmdcmrCimcnyOzS1nJ?si=a4a6ca40a1554ef4&nd=1&dlsi=952f6812f3054c4b Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-elev8-io-podcast/id1831101794 🚀 Host Social Media Host LinkedIn: Gary Garth https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygarth/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgarygarth 📊 Curious how your patient acquisition strategy stacks up? Run your numbers through the elev8.io Growth Calculator — the industry’s first tool built exclusively for behavioral health executives. In less than 3 minutes, you’ll see: ✔ Your true Cost-Per-Admission (CPA) ✔ Where your marketing dollars are leaking ✔ How you compare against industry benchmarks ✔ The fastest path to full census 👉 Test your strategy now at https://growthcalculator.elev8.io/

6 min

09/22/2025

4 | Admissions Enablement: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Treatment Center

#BehavioralHealthCenters don’t have a lead problem — they have a follow-up problem. In this episode of The elev8.io Podcast, Gary Garth sits down with Amber Vaughan, CMO at Cornerstone Healing Center, to unpack one of the most mission-critical, and most neglected components of treatment center growth: admissions enablement Amber brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, clinical operations, and admissions leadership. In this conversation, she breaks down how to build an ethical, high-performing admissions system that turns inquiries into admits, without burning out your team or letting patients fall through the cracks. They cover how to reduce missed calls, align teams across marketing and BD, and create a patient-first system built on empathy, urgency, and clarity. Stick around until the end to hear Amber’s “magic wand” fix for the entire industry, and why 7 out of 10 people looking for help still aren’t getting it. 🚀 Key Topics / Timestamps 00:44 – What is admissions enablement (and why it matters) 03:20 – The shocking missed call rates across the industry 06:15 – Why your CRM may be your biggest conversion killer 10:08 – Hiring vs. fixing: When to scale your admissions team 13:42 – The KPIs every admissions leader should track 16:00 – Coaching culture: How to train empathy and urgency 19:25 – How tech and automation can support (not replace) your team 23:10 – Preparing for payer changes, audits, and fraud risk 27:48 – Amber’s “magic wand” solution to fix patient access 👇 Make sure to subscribe: LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/ Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io 🎧 Podcast Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07DofmdcmrCimcnyOzS1nJ?si=a4a6ca40a1554ef4&nd=1&dlsi=952f6812f3054c4b Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-elev8-io-podcast/id1831101794 🚀 Guest & Host Social Media Guest LinkedIn:⁠ Amber Vuaghan https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-v-718007258/ Host LinkedIn: Gary Garth https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygarth/ 🚀 360° Patient Acquisition Solutions For Behavioral Health Centers https://elev8.io/ ☎️ 305 424 9615 #AdmissionsEnablement #BehavioralHealthMarketing #FullCensusStrategy #HealthcareLeadership #BehavioralHealthPodcast

41 min

09/08/2025

3 | How In-House Pharmacies Keep Patients Connected to Care - Steve Donai, Growth Sherpa Consulting

How can treatment centers improve patient recovery and strengthen their bottom line at the same time? In this episode of The elev8.io Podcast, Gary Garth sits down with Steve Donai, Founder & CEO of Growth Sherpa Consulting, to discuss how in-house pharmacies are keeping patients connected to care and how this supports long-term recovery. Steve explains why most facilities are stuck with a single revenue stream — billable days — and how adding a pharmacy creates a sustainable, diversified model. Beyond revenue, he shows how pharmacies keep alumni engaged, improve access to medications post-discharge, and provide better data to track outcomes. 🚀 Key Topics / Timestamps 01:15 – Why treatment centers struggle with single revenue streams 03:20 – How in-house pharmacies boost recovery & long-term engagement 05:45 – How alumni engagement strengthens recovery and keeps patients connected 08:10 – The role of admissions systems in saving lives (and revenue) 12:55 – Why answering every call is the simplest way to save lives 👇 Make Sure to Subscribe: LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/ Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/ YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io 🚀 Guest & Host Social Media Guest LinkedIn:⁠ Steve Donai https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-donai-ms/ Host LinkedIn: Gary Garth https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygarth/

14 min

08/29/2025

2 | The Big Why Behind The elev8.io Podcast

In this episode, elev8.io CEO Gary Garth shares his personal story, key industry insights, and the mission that led to the creation of elev8.io and The elev8.io Podcast. If you’re a #BehavioralHealth CEO, owner, or executive looking to keep your census full, lower patient acquisition costs, and navigate the complex world of marketing, admissions, and insurance, this podcast was made for you. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share — so more leaders (and ultimately more patients) can benefit from these conversations. https://elev8.io/

7 min

08/08/2025

1 | How Google AI Overviews Are Changing Behavioral Health Marketing - Trevor Rand: Account Strategist at Google & SUD Vertical Specialist

#BehavioralHealthMarketing is entering a new era—and your strategy needs to evolve fast. In this episode of ‘The elev8.io Podcast’, we sit down with Trevor Rand, Account Strategist at Google and SUD Vertical Specialist, to explore how AI Overviews are reshaping Google Search and what this means for Behavioral Health Centers. Trevor shares insider insights on the biggest search changes in a decade, why traditional PPC strategies are no longer enough, and how to leverage value-based bidding to acquire higher-quality patients. We also dive into YouTube Ads as a cost-effective way to build awareness and why becoming part of a prospective patient’s consideration set is critical. If you want to future-proof your facility, dominate search visibility, and improve your patient acquisition ROI, this episode is a must-listen. Stay tuned until the end for expert tips on integrating AI-driven tactics into your marketing strategy. Key Topics / Timestamps 00:56 – Why behavioral health centers must adapt to AI-driven search 04:11 – What Google’s AI Overviews mean for treatment facilities 07:47 – How AI Overviews impact click-through rates and SEO strategy 19:00 – Why value-based bidding beats clicks and calls for ROI 38:28 – The overlooked power of YouTube ads for awareness and admissions 51:06 – Creating compelling video content for patient acquisition55:31 – How AI tools lower the barrier for video ad creation Discover how we integrate AI into our 360° Patient Acquisition Solutions for Behavioral Health Centers. 📩 getpatients@elev8.io Follow elev8.io on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elev8io/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elev8.io/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elev8_io Guest & Host Social Media Guest LinkedIn: Trevor Rand https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-rand Host LinkedIn: Gary Garth https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygarth/

58 min

SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

Google’s AI Overviews Are Here—and They’re Reshaping How Patients Search for Treatment

Big changes are coming to Google Search, and your treatment center needs to be ready. In this first look at the elev8.io Podcast, we talk with Trevor Rand, Account Strategist at Google & SUD Vertical Specialist, about: ✔ How AI Overviews will change patient searches ✔ Why value-based bidding outperforms clicks & calls ✔ How YouTube ads can build awareness like never before 🎯 Full episode drops August 8, 2025

1 min

SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

The Podcast for Behavioral Health Executives – Coming Soon!

A thought leadership platform dedicated to providing actionable insights, expert interviews, and growth strategies for Behavioral Health Centers. 'The elev8.io Podcast' will explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the rapidly evolving behavioral health industry—helping you stay ahead and make a lasting impact.

1 min

The elev8.io Podcast

Episodes

10 | You Can’t Market Your Way Out of Poor Leadership: Lessons from the Front Lines of Recovery - Kennet Vick, Avalon Wellness Recovery

9 | Culture Is the Strategy: How Leadership Standards Determine Who Scales and Who Breaks

8 | The Alumni Advantage: Reducing Relapse & Increasing Census

7 | The Ultimate Behavioral Health ROI Calculator Walkthrough: Real Math for Marketing, Admissions & Census Growth

6| Brand Enhancement Strategies for Behavioral Health Facilities

5 | The Patient Acquisition Pyramid: How to Cut CPA and Fill Your Census Smarter

4 | Admissions Enablement: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Treatment Center

3 | How In-House Pharmacies Keep Patients Connected to Care - Steve Donai, Growth Sherpa Consulting

2 | The Big Why Behind The elev8.io Podcast

1 | How Google AI Overviews Are Changing Behavioral Health Marketing - Trevor Rand: Account Strategist at Google & SUD Vertical Specialist

Google’s AI Overviews Are Here—and They’re Reshaping How Patients Search for Treatment

The Podcast for Behavioral Health Executives – Coming Soon!

Trailers

Google’s AI Overviews Are Here—and They’re Reshaping How Patients Search for Treatment

The Podcast for Behavioral Health Executives – Coming Soon!

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